diabetic

1 of 2

adjective

di·​a·​bet·​ic ˌdī-ə-ˈbe-tik 

1

: of or relating to diabetes or diabetics

2

: affected with diabetes

3

: occurring in or caused by diabetes

diabetic coma

4

: suitable for diabetics

diabetic food

diabetic

2 of 2

noun

: a person affected with diabetes

Examples of diabetic in a Sentence

Adjective

new drugs for treating diabetic patients

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

These cutting-edge digital glasses are designed to assist individuals with central vision loss caused by conditions like macular degeneration and diabetic retinopathy. —Kurt Knutsson, Cyberguy Report, Fox News, 12 Jan. 2025

The scientists concluded that carrots could be a natural way to complement existing diabetes treatments; so diabetic people could eat carrots while taking prescribed medication, such as insulin or metformin, to further improve their health. —Paul Du Quenoy, Newsweek, 9 Jan. 2025

Noun

According to researchers, the drug holds great promise for the tens of millions of insulin-requiring diabetics worldwide. —New Atlas, 17 Oct. 2024

All that extra sugar can make cranberry dishes hard to consume for Type 1 diabetics because the sugars cause a rapid rise in blood glucose. Cranberries Without Sugar? —Rosemary Trout, Discover Magazine, 27 Nov. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

borrowed from Medieval Latin diabēticus, from Late Latin diabētēs diabetes + -icus -ic entry 1

Noun

borrowed from Medieval Latin diabēticus, noun derivative of diabēticus diabetic entry 1

First Known Use

Adjective

1702, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

1763, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

diabetic

1 of 2 adjective

di·​a·​bet·​ic ˌdī-ə-ˈbet-ik 

: of, relating to, or having diabetes

a diabetic person

diabetic

2 of 2 noun

: a person who has diabetes

Medical Definition

diabetic

1 of 2 adjective

di·​a·​bet·​ic ˌdī-ə-ˈbet-ik 

1

: of or relating to diabetes or diabetics

2

: affected with diabetes

3

: occurring in or caused by diabetes

a diabetic coma

4

: suitable for diabetics

diabetic food

diabetic

2 of 2 noun

: a person affected with diabetes